'Experience won us the derby', gloats Leopards tactician Ambani

AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani has credited his choice to go for experience, as the catalyst to their 1-0 win over Gor Mahia in the 98th Mashemeji derby staged at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

Julius Masaba’s 25th minute tap-in extended Ambani’s perfect unbeaten record as a player and coach in the derby, and he is chuffed by the developments.

 “I looked at my team and made that decision[ to throw experienced players] and that’s why I went for the likes of (Julius) Masaba, Kinyash (Kinyanjui James) and all this was because they have experience.

I said that because I am unbeaten against Gor Mahia then I should select players who will help me keep this record and I want to thank God who has really helped us get this important win,” said the soft spoken Ambani.

K’Ogalo’s head coach Charles Akonnor blamed his lads for lack of commitment while praising Leopards urgency and aggression for the win.

“The opponent was more aggressive than us, they won the majority of second balls, they were determined and you could see an urgency in the way they played.

This is what we told our guys; that games like that, come with a lot of commitment, and we were not much committed and we didn’t fight enough to win this game,” said Akonnor.

Leopards have now climbed to sixth with 17 points, three behind log leaders Kenya Police and two behind Gor and Kakamega Homeboyz.

The 12-time league champions will next face defending champions Kenya Police at Kenya Police Sacco Stadium this Friday December 12 while record champions Gor travel to Mombasa to battle hosts Bandari the same day.

K’Ogalo will be keen to avoid a third defeat on the spin, which could pile more pressure on the Ghanaian coach Akonnor.